The Summer Harvest

Hey there! I know it may seem early but depending on what you grow, harvesting your plants can start anywhere from the beginning of the summer all the way through the fall. Harvesting from your home garden can be a really cool experience! Not only can you enjoy fresh produce, but you can also take pride in growing your own food. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your home garden harvest: 1. Harvest at the right time: Different plants have different harvest times. Some plants, like tomatoes, should be harvested when they are fully ripe, while others, like lettuce, should be harvested when they are still young and tender. Make sure you know the best time to harvest each plant in your garden. Right now I have been busy picking lettuce and even a few pea pods that are ready. 2. Use the right tools: Some plants, like tomatoes and peppers, are easily damaged if you pick them by hand. Use a pair of pruning shears or scissors to harvest these plants. If I don't have scisso

As the first few tomatoes in my garden are starting to grow, I thought it would be a prefect time go through the 5 varieties of tomatoes I most frequently grow and eat! Tomatoes are a staple in most gardens, and with good reason. They're versatile, delicious, and packed with nutrients. With so many varieties of tomatoes to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones to grow. Here are five of the most popular tomato varieties and the ones I like to grow: 1. Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are small, sweet, and perfect for snacking. They're also great for salads and roasting. I love to use these ones when I make pasta salad in the summer. They are great burst of flavor. 2. Beefsteak Tomatoes: Beefsteak tomatoes are large, meaty, and perfect for slicing. They're great for sandwiches, burgers, and salads. These are probably my least favorite variety. Im not a huge fa of meaty tomatoes but, I do love one on a burger. 3. Roma Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are the classic tomato

Have you ever considered growing wildflowers in your garden? Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they're also incredibly easy to grow. Plus, they can attract all sorts of beneficial insects and pollinators to your yard. One of the best things about wildflowers is that they're incredibly resilient. They can grow in all sorts of different soil types, and they don't require a lot of maintenance. In fact, many species of wildflowers actually prefer to be left alone!  If you're interested in growing wildflowers, the first step is to choose the right species for your area. You'll want to select plants that are native to your region, as these will be best suited to your climate and soil conditions. You can find a list of native wildflowers online or at your local nursery.  Once you've selected your plants, it's time to prepare your garden bed. Wildflowers prefer soil that's well-draining and low in nutrients. You can amend your soil with compost or sand

As I have shared previously, gardening can be a rewarding and relaxing hobby, but it also requires work, sometimes a lot, to keep your garden healthy and thriving.  1. Watering: Water is hugely important in keeping your plants happy and healthy. I like to try and water my garden deeply once a week, rather than giving it a light watering every day. This will encourage deep root growth and help your plants become more drought-resistant. It feels like each summer we get a tough heat wave that can be detrimental to your garden, deep root watering can be a help. When watering, make sure to water the soil, not the leaves, to avoid disease. 2. Weeding: Weeds can compete with your plants for nutrients and water, so it's important to remove them regularly. I like to pull them by hand so that I can make sure I get all the roots, but you can also use a small spade or rake to help.  3. Mulching: Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Apply a

  Building a garden is the first step and a great way to get outside and get your hands dirty. Here are some tips to help you get started on your journey to fresh fruits and vegetables: 1. Choose the right location - The first step in building a garden is to choose the right location. You'll want an area that gets plenty of sunlight, is easy to access and can be reached with a hose. Don't make the mistake of building your garden out of reach of water, trekking back and forth with a watering can is not fun.  2. Build your garden bed - Once you've chosen your location, it's time to build your garden bed. I use wood and make sure it's slightly elevated. You will also need chicken wire or something to enclose it to keep the animals from eating all your produce. Here is a photo of my garden from earlier this week!  3. Prepare the soil - Before you start planting, it's important to prepare the soil. You can buy good planting soil at any garden store. I usually create